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Oh Italy, What to wear!

Visiting Italy this Sept. My husband and I have never been to Europe before...Spending 3 days in Florence, 3 in Rome and 3 in Positano.....Will it still be warm the 2nd & 3rd week in Sept? How does one pack for this kind of trip? (yes doing lots of walking). Guess I am worried about looking like a tourist, but hey, we are so maybe I should relax right!

I have heard we need to be very mindful of pickpockets...do we really need a money belt? Is it that crazy? Do I need to buy a serious slash proof purse? Do I even carry a purse? Should my husband carry a wallet? I also have a Canon camera I'd like to bring but wondering if this is a bad idea?

These questions are probably very silly, but I'm just trying to prepare to have a great trip!

I have never used a money belt. I bury the necessary $/documents/cards in a deep pocket and glare at anyone who seems shifty. Europeans don't eff with me.

<<Should my husband carry a wallet?>>

What does he do now?

You will get varying advice, but the gist will be the same. Don't put your camera or phone down on a table unattended, don't sling your purse/document contraption on the chair at your restaurant, don't leave your money lying around or flaunt it.

Hi Stephy - yes you should relax! You can't help but look like a tourist, so don't worry about it. It will still be very warm and 2nd and 3rd weeks of September (or at least it has been for me, coming from Oregon).

My packing style for Italy has really changed over the last couple of trips. I now bring 3 travel-friendly dresses, 2 skirts, 1 pair of pants and a couple pair of leggings (to wear under the skirts and dresses in case it gets cool. Also 3-4 tops, 5 undies, 2 bras and 1 swimsuit (if going to Positano). Costume jewelry to mix and match and a couple of light-weight scarves (also good for covering shoulders to go into churches). i wash when necessary in the hotel sink.

The only place I wear sneakers at home is to the gym, so I am the same way on the trip. I love cute shoes so I wear my largest pair of shoes on the plane (usually a wedge) and pack 2 other flats. I buy Dr. Scholls insoles for extra support. I have had great luck with Cole Haan.

Now I know I will get flamed for this, but I never wear a money belt. I lock most of my money and passport in the hotel safe. I wear a cross-body purse (just a regular one, not one of those non-slash kind) during the day that has a copy of my passport, a credit card and my daily cash (plus camera, etc.). The cross-body purse I have lays flat, so I can pack it in the bottom of my suitcase and just zip my money/passport/etc. in the interior pocket of my "personal item" on the plane. My husband carries his wallet in his front pocket and has never had a problem.

I've always worn shorts in Italy and in warm weather plenty of Italians do as well IME - not in many churches where they are Verboten however. but pretty much anything you'd wear at home IME you can and should wear in Italy or anyplace in Europe these days.

Yes there are pickpockets - there are in every city in the world. And you need to be careful of your belongings - never let go of them - even in a restaurant or shop. But carrying a camera is fine and I always carry a purse - but bandolier fashion on the front - NOT the back.

As for looking like a tourist - every local will easily pick you out. But IMHO I would never wear shorts in a city in europe - only in parks or at resorts - but then I dress the same way here (except running errands in my neighborhood).

So pretty much don't be a dumb ass! HAHA! I feel better! I live in Chicago and I feel like I am pretty aware, but I have heard stories from friends about watches being stolen right off wrists and friends being robbed. I just wasn't sure if it was much more rampant in Rome.
Thanks for the advice! Much appreciated! I really didn't want to wear a money belt!

September should be great weather. Bring lots of layers of clothing and good shoes - cobblestones are hard on the feet.

Yes, there are pickpockets. Take photocopies of your passport and carry that. Also, I carry a coin purse with a few small bills and lots of coins (you will need them), and I never take my wallet or credit cards out unless inside a store. Your husband shouldn't carry his wallet somewhere easy to lift it. Just common sense stuff.

Absolutely take your best camera! Especially for your first trip to Europe. Just travel wisely ... be as aware as if you we're traveling to any U.S. city.

Not silly questions at all! You never know until you've actually been somewhere. It is really exciting that you're going such terrific destinations for your first time. Have a wonderful trip!

"The only place I wear sneakers at home is to the gym, so I am the same way on the trip. I love cute shoes so I wear my largest pair of shoes on the plane (usually a wedge) and pack 2 other flats." Me too!!

Calm down. Wear what's comfortable, not too geeky or too sporty, and has pockets. No need for a money belt or sock pocket or all those other gismos that people feel compelled to wear. I find no matter where I am in the world I feel safest doing what I normally do at home, not trying out some new gismo that I'm not familiar with. So unless you do hapless things at home like keep your wallet in an outside pocket of your jacket or in the rear pocket of your jeans, you'll be fine. Especially since you're from Chicago. Italy will be a piece of cake.

Never leave anything unattended. Be aware of your surroundings. Don't wander down streets staring at a city map looking glazed and confused. Walk purposefully. Don't engage with weirdos who ask if you speak English. It really should all be very intuitive for a city person like yourself.

Agree with all the advice above except for the money belt part. Personally, I'd rather not have to waste my vacation time getting my passport and credit cards replaced. Which is a lot of trouble if you are far from home, moving around, etc. Just too much time and hassle for the sake of not wearing a thin pouch around your waist. With my passport and extra credit/ATM cards/cash safe under my clothing, I can be relaxed about the kind of bag I carry (no ugly slash proof travel bags), etc. Sure, still be aware of your surroundings, etc.

I do not think you have to worry about people stealing your watch from your wrist (never heard of that one) - nor do you have to worry about being mugged at gun point (the American thief preference), but pickpockets are everywhere and if you think just being 'aware' will protect you - well then go ahead and think that. Have a look at this site - http://www.bella-toscana.com/pickpocketsinitaly.htm#.UZIj1crEXKc

We have been to Europe 16 times. I have done exactly as St Cirq recommends and dressed and taken care of my money, passport and valuables exactly as I do at home (Washington, DC). I have luckily never had a mishap. That doesn't mean that I wall down the street talking on my I-phone at home or abroad. Take normal precautions, be aware and have a great time.

Yes, I do exactly what I do at home in europe - and the passports (I carry both - since it'es easier to get things from a guy's pocket - even inside jacket - go in a zipper compartment inside my purse.

Never a problem in more than 100 trips to europe (except for when I left my sunglasses behind on a cafe table - MY fault.)

In all honesty, I don't ever carry my passport with me, that always stays in the hotel safe. It's too BULKY and too risky to carry a passport in my pocket. I have never been stopped by the italian police for a passport, never ever! I used to carry a photocopy of my passport, now I just leave the photocopy in my suitcase as a back up. I do carry my US driver's license and credit card in my wallet ( just as an ID in case they found me dead in the streets of Rome). I do take pictures of my credit cards front & back onto my locked iPhone in case my wallet get stolen.

As others said, I would recommend wearing what you always wear in your hometown. Don't buy anything special for your trip. Save your money for buying something in Italy!

I didn't see any mention of purchasing advance tickets for the sights you want to see online. Saves time wasted waiting and affords better use of your limited time.

We took a vacation from our vacation in Positano. Loved every minute and hated to leave this beautiful gem on the Amalfi coast!

I lived in Italy for six years and returned many times, never had a problem or loss. Just, as others have said, be aware of your surroundings. Also be aware of little kids who could easily distract you.

Relax and enjoy your trip. OBTW - do you need someone to carry your bags and or translate for you?

the only two things I'd add are to contact your credit card company and let them know when you'll be out of the country. That way, no transaction will be denied because it 'looks suspicious'. Yes, its a nice thing the bank will do without you knowing it until you have a card denied for a book at the museum and feel like an idiot. Next, we contact the bank and put an upper limit on the amount that can be withdrawn each day from an ATM - say 150e. That way, if you do have a problem and someone gets the card, figures out your PIN, the upper limit will at least limit your losses. I've worn knee length, dressy shorts (not those tacky capris or skimmers) through most of Italy, France and Germany. Have some mix and match shells and cardigan sweaters with a skirt or two, maybe a simple black knit dress and you'll be fine. Hate the idea of a money belt personally. I have a 'healthy back bag' in size medium that I've used for years. Plenty of inside pockets for valuables and it does relieve the weight if you are carrying a camera or lenses. You're a tourist - I spot them on Michigan Ave all the time and don't stop to gawk, do you??!!

Thanks for all your replies! I know this is a late follow up (life gets in the way). We packed light for this trip. One carry on suite case for each of us and did some laundry during our trip. Not a bad way to travel. I packed much lighter than I normally do trying to utilize outfits more that once since I knew no one there except hubby and he did the same. I packed one pair of sneakers, one pair of sandle heels, and one pair of flats. Capri's and more stylish cotton shirts and a few dresses that pack easy. We left our passports in the hotel safe and did not use a money belt. I never felt like we were going to be robbed. However we never took a bus around town and walked everywhere. We did take the train in between cities and I never felt like people were going to target us, even in Naples train station. We were aware like we are in Chicago....Thanks again to everyone who provided advice.

Just FYI for anyone reading this - you are required by Italian law to carry your original passports on you at all times. These are an identification requirement. Don't leave them in the hotel safe or carry a copy as it is not acceptable. In these times of heightened security it is even more important to be vigilant about carrying your original passport.

5 visits to italy and never lost a thing. always leave the wallet at home and just carry credit cards, license and $ held together by a large rubber band. always wear pants with zipper pockets or walk with my hand on the cards. also have a good canon camera and have had no problems. people holding their phones and ipads up to take photos are much easier targets for theft or dropping them off the cliff. wife carries a backpack type purse. leave jewelry at home. leave your t shirts, shorts and sneakers at home - only tourists wear them. dress comfortably and don't try to keep up with the italians, especially in airports, they are clothes hounds. relax and enjoy.

You must carry your passport. Don't waste the police's time following you back to your hotel. That is an effront. Make a copy and leave that in your hotel room if you like. Those of us who live in Europe are used to carrying our passport/national identity cards around with us. You can too.